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Zero club?

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Posted 9/26/2011 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Being my 49th birthday, I thought it would be a good day for my six month post surgery psa.

I live in a rural area with my local hospital having the only lab within a 30 mile radius, at least with accreditation.

My result, <.13.

Here is verbatim what the report reads:

PSA <.13

6-29-10: the assay range has been updated to meet the current regulatory requirement that the limit of detection (LoD) be used to define the lower limite of the assay range. There is no change in assay performance, reference range, or reagents. Previously the lower limit of detection was <.05ng/ml, now it is <.13 ng/ml.

 So, do I qualify for the zero club?

Posted 9/26/2011 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
On one hand, your result is as low as your lab will go (which is good). My guess (and hope) is most likely your true result is lower.

If it were me, I would find another lab/clinic to get a PSA test that goes down to .1 for the standard PSA and hope you get a result that is reported as <.1

Even if getting the test is farther away and inconvenient.

My understanding is that higher than .1 is cause for concern, but since your lab doesn't go that low you will never know for certain if your PSA is at that threshold or not.

Dan

P.S. I have checked with the membership committee and you have been admitted to the Zero Club subject to verification by an additional PSA test. :-)
Posted 9/26/2011 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'll give you a "Welcome". As long as you are considered "undetectable", it counts. You realize a bunch of guys will be waiting on their virtual round at the pub tonight. Can't be there myself - I got bumped a few months ago. Oh well.

I am a little perplexed about why the lower limit at a lab would be raised from .05 to .13. I would expect it to be going the other way as technology improves. It would be interesting to know what the "current regulatory requirement" is, and where it comes from.

I might try a different lab as well, just for peace of mind.

Posted 9/26/2011 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree I would look for another lab, even if it a a little further away.
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